The Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA), or PDSh in Albanian, is also known as the Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians-National Democratic Party (Partija za Democratski Prosperitet na Squiptare vo Makedonija-Narodna Demokratska Partija or PDSM-NDP, or PDPA-NDP in English) (MIC 16 July 1998, Political Handbook of the World 1998, 564). The PDSM was created in 1995 by dissidents of the Party for Democratic Prosperity (Partija za Democratski Prosperitet-PDP). The leader of the PDSM, Arben Xhaferi attempted in 1997 to form a political party called the Albanian Democratic Party (Political Handbook of the World 1998, 564). Although the new group was popular among ethnic Albanians, it was not recognized officially by the Macedonian government which perceived its demands for Albanians as unconstitutional.

In a 15 May 1998 interview given to the Skopje-based MIC news agency on his political priorities for the upcoming elections, DPA leader Xhaferi stated that:

It is not new that we strive for the officialization of the University of Tetovo, for an optimum usage of the Albanian language, the status of Albanians in the Constitution and a final establishment of mechanisms that would guarantee the inalienable national interests in Macedonia..."

He also stated that foreign investments were essential to Macedonia's advancement, that they could only be achieved in a climate of political stability and that political stability could only be achieved through "inter-ethnic confidence" (ibid.).

Following the 1 November 1998 elections in Macedonia, the DPA joined the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for National Unity (VRMO-DPMNE) to form the ruling government coalition, and was represented by six members in the cabinet of ministers (People in Power 31 July 1999). As a result, ethnic Albanians were brought to occupy key positions in the police and the administration of the predominantly Albanian city of Tetovo (Reuters 7 Apr. 1999).

In early June 1999, Adelina Marku, a spokesperson of the DPA, stated that it was the wish of Albanians that Macedonia become a "multi-ethnic state." (MIC new bulletin 1 June 1999). A 31 May 1999 MIC news bulletin quotes Marku as saying that "We are not satisfied with our minority status and we want to be equal to the Slavs, we are not a minority like the Serbs or the Turks, which represent between three or four percent of the total population of Macedonians."

No further information on the DPA could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

MIC [Skopje, in English]. 1 June 1999. "VRMO-DPMNE Reacts to DPA Idea of 'Multi-Ethnic' FYROM." (FBIS-EEU-1999-0601 6 June 1999/WNC)

_____. 31 May 1999. "DPA Says Albanians 'Not Satisfied' with Minority Status." (FBIS-EEU-1999-0531 31 May 1999/WNC)

_____. 16 July 1998. "Defence Minister Warns Against Army Boycott by Albanians." (BBC Summary 20 July 1998/NEXIS)

_____. 15 May 1998. "FYROM: DPA's Xhaferri Views Current Issues." (FBIS-EEU-98-135 15 May 1998/WNC)

People in Power [Cambridge, UK). 31 July 1999. Release No. 73. Cambridge: CIRCA Research and Reference Information.

Political Handbook of the World 1998. 1998. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Reuters. 4 July 1999. "Macedonians Sell Homes, Flee Ethnic Albanian City." (NEXIS)

Electronic Sources: IRB databases.

Internet sources including:

Balkan Info Home. Macedonia. Political parties.

Izbori98 - Makedonia. Political parties. DPA Website under construction.

Wilfried Derksen's Electoral Web Sites. Political parties.